A Jigawa State High Court has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for the brutal murder of a 30-year-old woman, Salamatu Musa, over allegations of witchcraft.
The verdict was delivered by Justice Ado Yusuf Birnin-Kudu on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, after the court found the convicts guilty of criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide.
The convicted individuals—Hassan Isah (55), Adama Yahaya (42), Abdullahi Yahaya (35), and Maryam Daso Yahaya (28)—were accused of conspiring to kill the deceased, whom they blamed for the death of their son through alleged witchcraft.
The tragic incident occurred in 2019 at Kwan-Dole Village in Mallam-Madori Local Government Area of Jigawa State.
The court heard that the convicts beat Salamatu to death using a stick after accusing her of practicing witchcraft.
Following their arrest in 2019, they were charged with criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide, punishable under Sections 97 and 221(b) of the Penal Code Laws.
During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence, including testimony from five witnesses, a medical report, and confessional statements from the convicts. These were pivotal in establishing their guilt.
In his ruling, Justice Birnin-Kudu stated that the convicts acted with full knowledge of the consequences of their actions.
The court sentenced each of them to six years in prison for criminal conspiracy and death by hanging for culpable homicide.
“The court finds you guilty as charged for the heinous offence committed with the full knowledge that its probable consequence is death,” Justice Birnin-Kudu declared.
The ruling serves as a stark warning against acts of jungle justice and violence in the guise of traditional beliefs.
Legal analysts have commended the court’s decision as a step towards upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for victims of extrajudicial killings.
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